Prep school closes for week as Clarke County residents battle flu-like illness

(Image:WPMI)Prep school closes for week as Clarke County residents battle flu-like illness

CLARKE COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) — A Clarke County preparatory school is canceling classes as the community deals with the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, Clarke Preparatory School in Grove Hill announced on social media that K4 through 12th grades will be closed the rest of the week due to widespread illness and an extreme number of absences.

Doug Bradford, Headmaster at Clark Prep School, told NBC 15 that more than 70 students have come down with the illness.

Bradford said the school has around 360 students in total, so 1 in 5 are now dealing with symptoms.

Clarke Prep basketball games will be played, but softball and baseball practices have also been canceled.

The school’s daycare will remain open and operate on a normal schedule.

Clarke Prep School officials released the following statement, in part:

“We feel this is the best decision to make for the well-being of our students and our staff. Thank you for your support.”

Clarke County residents said the flu-like symptoms have become a major issue.

A pharmacist in downtown Grove Hill told NBC 15 that the symptoms are consistent with the flu. She also said multiple people have come in daily for a week to get medicine and/or flu shots.

NBC 15’s Cory Pippin is speaking with parents and health experts about the outbreak.